Episode 51
Even if there were things I wanted to do, I often found myself resigned, unable to do anything because of my aching body.
Although the circumstances were different, seeing Ian end up in a similar state made me feel a strong desire not to let this child become like that.
“We can’t go today, but let’s plan to go together soon.”
As I spoke confidently, determined to somehow make time, Ian looked at me with a slightly suspicious gaze.
“I always keep my promises, no matter what. So trust me.”
I emphasized, showing Ian my strong determination.
“…Really?”
My words seemed to convince him, as Ian’s face gradually brightened.
“Okay. Then let’s have a good time together today. Got it?”
Finally, Ian nodded, and we set off straight for the bustling streets of the capital.
* * *
“Where do you want to go today?”
Inside the carriage, I kept talking to Ian incessantly.
“I don’t really mind anywhere…”
Ian replied listlessly, still not completely recovering his spirits.
“Still, it’s been a while since we went out. There must be somewhere you want to go?”
“Not really…”
“Really? Then can I choose for us?”
“Yes.”
So, the first destination I chose was the bookstore.
Observing Ian closely, I noticed that he almost always had a book in his hands.
I had seen him reading in the garden, and considering the book Lloydin gave him as a gift, it seemed like Ian really liked books.
Thinking that going to a bookstore might lift his spirits, I made the choice.
“Here…”
Ian spoke as he glanced out the window.
“It’s a bookstore. Let’s get off, Ian.”
We got off the carriage and entered the bookstore.
Since it was daytime, there weren’t many people inside.
“Welcome!”
The bookseller with a cheerful demeanor greeted us warmly.
“Are you looking for a specific book? We have everything here, so just let me know, and I’ll fetch it for you.”
“I’m not looking for anything specific, just want to browse.”
“Ah, I see. Yes, yes. Take your time browsing, and if you need anything, just call me.”
“Got it.”
As the owner of the bookstore moved away from us, I turned to Ian.
“If there are any books you want, I’ll buy them all. So, feel free to choose.”
“…Really?”
Ian replied with an incredulous expression.
“Yes. Even if you want every book here, I’ll buy them. So, take your time choosing.”
My words to Ian weren’t just empty promises.
As a former noble lady, I had inherited a substantial fortune from my parents.
Until now, I hadn’t had the opportunity to use it properly, but now I was determined to use it freely without hesitation.
“Well, then…”
Ian looked at me with a slightly bewildered expression and nodded.
“Just kidding. It means I have a lot of money, so don’t worry about it.”
I said with a mischievous smile, and fortunately, Ian chuckled lightly, seeming to understand my joke.
Feeling relieved that Ian’s mood seemed to be improving, I felt a sense of comfort.
“Well then, I’ll browse around here. See you later.”
“Okay.”
As Ian turned away and disappeared between the bookshelves, I also began to wander between the shelves, starting to choose the books I needed.
First, I headed to the section where textbooks were displayed, intending to buy books for Ian’s studies at the academy.
“Let’s see…”
I looked around the books, referring to the note where I had written down what to buy.
In fact, I didn’t need to do these things myself.
I could have ordered the servants to do it, or even handed a note to the shopkeeper, and they would quickly bring everything to me.
But when it came to Ian, I wanted to do everything for him myself.
So, carefully examining the books, I picked out the ones we needed.
However, one book didn’t seem to catch my eye.
“Culture and Arts of the Empire…”
I murmured the title unconsciously while searching, and suddenly a book was pushed in front of me.
“Huh?”
At the top center of the book’s cover was written precisely ‘Culture and Arts of the Empire’.
With a pleasant surprise, I looked up at the person who handed me the book.
Standing before me was a very cute and pretty girl with silver hair tied into two braids.
“Here. Is this what you’re looking for?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. Thank you.”
Her voice was as clear and cheerful as her appearance, fitting her perfectly.
“I’m enrolling in the intermediate academy this time.”
“Huh?”
“I’m the owner of this book.”
“Oh, right. You’re getting in this time?”
“Ah, I see.”
The girl nodded her head in agreement.
“The classes are informative, but honestly, they’re not very fun. Don’t you agree?”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you learn it before, Sister?”
“Oh, right.”
Instead of telling the truth that I couldn’t attend the academy because of my illness, I vaguely responded.
There was no need to explain everything in detail for a passing acquaintance.
Anyway, she was quite bright and confident.
She was not only good at talking to strangers but also leading the conversation.
At that moment, I heard someone calling from afar.
“I should be going now.”
“Sure. Go ahead. Thank you for this.”
“Don’t mention it. Well then, bye, Sister.”
“Goodbye. Take care.”
Just like when she first appeared, the girl suddenly moved away from me.
Ah, I should have asked for her name at least.
Even though it was just a brief encounter, I should have remembered it.
I felt a little disappointed, but that feeling soon faded away.
After buying all the books Ian needed for his studies at the academy, I moved to another place and picked out a few books for myself to read.
Then, I looked around to see if there were any books suitable for Lloydin as a gift.
“I wonder if Lloydin likes books related to travel?”
After choosing all the books to give to Lloydin as well, quite a bit of time had passed.
Feeling like I should go somewhere else soon, I quietly searched for Ian.
However, no matter how much I looked around the bookstore, I couldn’t find Ian.
“Wait, where on earth did he go?”
At that moment, a woman’s voice passing by me caught my attention.
The woman seemed to be searching around the bookstore just like me, probably looking for her child.
After circling around again and still not finding Ian, I approached the bookseller.
“Are there any other places where books are displayed besides here?”
“Other places? No, there aren’t.”
“Really?”
“Are you looking for a specific book?”
“No, it’s not like that.”
Then where on earth did he go?
“If you tell me what’s going on, I’ll help you,” the bookstore owner intervened, noticing the growing worry on my face.
“I can’t see the child who came with me.”
“Oh, the lady you came with just went out the back door with someone.”
“Went out the back door?”
“Yes, yes. I only saw their backs, but it seemed like they were about the same height and looked like friends.”
Friends?
Who on earth did he go out with?
“But then again, although they seemed like friends, it also seemed like one was dragging the other, but I might have seen it wrong.”
I didn’t have time to linger here, contemplating whether one was being dragged by the other.
“Where does the back door lead to?”
“It leads to a small alley. If you go left, it’s a dead end, and if you go right, you’ll reach a main road…”
“Got it. Thanks. Leave these books here; I’ll come back soon to pay for them.”
“Yes, of course.”
Feeling impatient, I cut off the bookstore owner’s words and hurried toward the back door.
Did Ian have a friend?
Ian had always been alone at the academy, so no matter how much I thought about it, no one in particular came to mind.
If it wasn’t a friend, did someone really take Ian away?
Worry and anxiety surged as I wondered if something had happened.
I reached the back door in a hurry and pushed it open.
As soon as I opened the door, a narrow alley-like space appeared with a building not far behind.
Looking to the right, as the bookstore owner had said, I saw the road opening up outside.
Just as I was about to turn my head to the left, I heard a dull thud from somewhere.
“What’s that sound?”
Listening carefully, I realized it was coming from the left.
Though I couldn’t discern what the sound was, the thought that Ian might be there prompted me to step toward the left.
